Allowing cyclists to ride both ways on one-way streets in the city will make the roads “safer for everyone”, it has been claimed.

According to a report for Cambridgeshire County Council: “Allowing cyclists to be exempt from no-entry restrictions, and to travel both ways on one-way streets, is a cost effective and easy way of expanding the city cycle network. With better permeability for cyclists it also encourages residents to cycle, rather than use a car for short, local journeys.”

Read More

Speaking at the city joint area committee at Cambridgeshire County Council yesterday (January 24), Romsey councillor Dave Baigent said people were already riding both ways down many streets, and making it formal would at least mean car drivers were on the look-out for cyclists.

Cambridge has been described as the UK's cycling capital

He said: “I think there are problems associated with two-way traffic, but the point is it is already happening, so it makes it safer that cars are aware cycles will be coming towards them.

Read More

“I am 100 per cent behind this, it makes it safer for everyone using the streets.”

Many restricted streets have already been opened up to two-way cycling over the last 10 years, including Mawson Road. There have been no reported accidents associated with two-way cycling on these streets.

Read More

Martin Lucas-Smith of the Cambridge Cycling Campaign said: “We welcome the changes. The major benefit of this is it allows people to use smaller roads and avoid the major streets.”

Mr Lucas-Smith said people should be encouraged to find effective routes through the city and that cars should be aware of people, especially children, using the roads. He expressed his disappointment over Willis Road and Brookside.

Read More

Some, however, were unsure of the move. Cllr Nick Avery, who represents Trumpington at Cambridge City Council, said the message he was hearing from residents was that two-way cycling in some streets in his ward would be “unsafe and undesirable”.

Cllr Richard Robertson said he welcomed the scheme, but noted that proper signage and road markings would need to be put in place.